08-21-2012 CCM - Laserfiche WebLink

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LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES AUGUST 21, 2012 Page 8 of 15 Council Member Emmons asked for clarification on the Environmental Projects Commission’s involvement. Administrator Zuleger indicated that they undertook a cursory review of the issue. Mr. Emmons suggested that perhaps the Commission be instructed to work on the project with the expectation that the Council will take the issue up in 2014. City Staff would have minimal involvement. Administrator Zuleger added that there are many resources available, such as the Maplewood data that do not need staff involvement to evaluate. Mr. Zuleger also noted that Maplewood is the first metro city in the past 20 years to successfully move to organized collection. Mayor Johnston asked what information Maplewood would have in a year-and-a-half that it does not have now. Administrator Zuleger said that because the Maplewood just started the collection, it would be premature to look at the data. A year and a half or two years should provide sufficient data. Council Member Pearson again reiterated that he would like home owners and associations to voluntarily investigate the issue on a smaller scale. Council Member Park agreed with Mr. Pearson’s suggestion. She recommended that Administrator Zuleger suggest this approach to the various associations when next meeting with them. Mayor Johnston stated that he was troubled by waiting until 2014 to start the investigative process with the timing restrictions already required by law. Council Member Pearson repeated his position that he believed City staff could be better used elsewhere. He continued to question why action on this issue was being pursued now after being tabled for so long. Mayor Johnston explained that he is now moving on it because he did not have the cost savings figures until recently. Council Member Park said she wants to put off discussing the issue because she does not believe they will be able to decide even by 2014. Justin Bloyer of 881 Jane Road North spoke in support of tabling the issue until 2014 in order to thoroughly discuss the issue. Citing an admittedly unnamed study, Mr. Bloyer asked how the cost per capita for road construction is the same for organized and non-organized cities. He also asked why if organized collection resulted in such great cost savings, the policy is not being extended to other areas, such as sewer pumping and grocery purchasing. Administrator Zuleger responded by citing data from Oakdale and Roseville of realized savings in road maintenance. He also said that in every study that he has seen there are general savings shown. Council Member Pearson acknowledged that there are potential savings, but wants more time to verify the claimed benefits. Council Member Park does not support the motion having the Commission perform any work on the issue during 2013 because of the staff time and resources required. Council Member Emmons clarified that the motion would limit any staff time or resources.